(a) A person who desires to learn the trade of plumbing must register as a plumber’s apprentice before assisting a person licensed under this chapter in the trade of plumbing.
(b) A person who has worked as a plumber’s apprentice for a period established by law or board rule may apply to take an examination for a license as a journeyman plumber or tradesman plumber-limited license holder. Before the applicant may take the examination, the applicant must complete classroom training provided by a board-approved instructor in a board-approved training program in the areas of health and safety, applicable plumbing codes, and water conservation for at least:
(1) 24 hours if the applicant is applying to take a tradesman plumber-limited license holder examination; or
(2) 48 hours if the applicant is applying to take a journeyman plumber examination.

(b-1) At the applicant’s request, the board may credit an applicant under Subsection (b) with a number of hours determined by board rule against the number of hours of work experience required to take an examination if the applicant has received an associate of applied science degree from a plumbing technology program that:
(1) includes a combination of classroom and on-the-job training; and
(2) is approved by the board and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
(c) At the applicant’s request, the board may credit an applicant under Subsection (b) with up to 1,000 hours of the work experience required before taking an examination if the applicant has completed the classroom portion of a training program:
(1) approved by the United States Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship; or
(2) provided by a person approved by the board and based on course materials approved by the board.
(c-1) At the applicant’s request, the board may credit an applicant under Subsection (b) with up to 250 hours of the work experience required before taking an examination if the applicant has completed a coherent sequence of courses in the construction trade that are offered through a career and technical education program that is approved by the State Board of Education.
(d) Notwithstanding the classroom training required by Subsection (b), a plumber’s apprentice may apply for and take an examination for a license as a journeyman plumber or tradesman plumber-limited license holder if the apprentice has received an associate of applied science degree from a plumbing technology program that:
(1) includes a combination of classroom and on-the-job training; and
(2) is approved by the board and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
(e) Notwithstanding Subsection (b), a plumber’s apprentice who is enrolled in good standing in a training program approved by the United States Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship, may take an examination without completing the classroom training required by Subsection (b)(1) or (2).